Is It Necessary To Install A Center Speaker In A Car Audio System?

Function of Car Center Speaker

The function of a car center speaker is to reproduce the mid‑frequency signals (frequency range 150Hz–5KHz) output from the crossover.As long as the frequency response curve of the midrange speaker is flat, the effective frequency response range is wider than the sound frequency band it undertakes in the system, and the impedance and sensitivity are consistent with the low‑frequency unit.

When the power capacity of the midrange unit is insufficient, a midrange unit with higher sensitivity and higher impedance than the woofer can also be selected, so as to reduce the actual input power of the midrange unit.

The center speaker can adjust the sound field for the front driver and co‑driver seats. When properly tuned, the center speaker can also significantly improve the listening experience for rear passengers.The center speaker can be a midrange unit or a mid‑high unit, and the center speaker also has an obvious effect on improving midrange performance.

A car center speaker can improve mid‑high frequency positioning. The center speaker receives an independent center audio signal from the power amplifier. This center signal is generated by mixing the left and right channel audio.The center unit can form a stereo system with the left channel, and the center speaker can also form a stereo system with the right channel, providing stereo effect for both the driver and co‑driver seats.

MinKa Harman Kardon Center Speaker(BMW)

Why Do Many Original Cars Without DTS 5.1 Audio Systems Still Have A Center Speaker?

Because the listening environment in a car is completely different from that at home. Sometimes, in order to achieve good listening effect in the car, in addition to adding the center speaker to change the sound field and balance the sound, many Toyota models also use inverted phase tweeters to change the sound field.

In short, the center speaker changes the sound field and frequency to achieve better listening effect in the special space inside the car.

Why Is There Only Background Sound But No Human Voice After Connecting The Center Speaker?

If there is only background sound, it means the two poles of the center speaker are connected to the left channel “+” and right channel “+” respectively. Only this kind of signal connection will cause human voice to disappear while background sound remains.

Human voice output is consistent on left and right channels. There is no potential difference between these two common‑mode signals, so when connected to the speaker, the human voice is effectively filtered out.Background sound is used to restore the scene, and there is usually a big difference between left and right channels in stereo, so the background sound is played.

Of course, obvious different human voices between left and right channels will still be played, and background sound with differences will also be filtered out.It is recommended to go back to a professional audio modification shop to check the wiring. The connection is probably wrong. The center speaker should be connected to the dedicated center speaker “+” and “–”.

Why Are All Original High-End Audio Systems Multi-Channel Systems?

There are two reasons:

①Multi‑channel audio systems can create a high‑end feeling at lower cost. To make an audio system sound high‑end, it needs either good sound quality or good sound effects. In such a complex acoustic environment inside a car, achieving good sound quality requires high cost, including both material cost and R&D cost. Achieving good sound effects does not require high‑end hardware.

② Multi‑channel audio systems can use algorithms to provide good listening experience for all passengers in the car.Each speaker in the car is at a different distance from the listening position, so the sound from left and right channels cannot reach the ears at the same time.The greater the time difference, the more serious the impact on listening experience.

Multi‑channel audio systems can arrange speaker positions to help all passengers enjoy high‑quality stereo effect as much as possible.Of course, more speakers do not mean better sound. Good results require DSP functions and tuning algorithm support.

In other words, multi‑channel systems can achieve a high‑end sound at a relatively low cost.

Will The Audio System Sound Better By Simply Buying A Center Speaker And Installing It In The Car?

Probably not. Because in a multi‑channel audio system, the center speaker receives an independent center audio signal from the power amplifier. This center signal is generated by mixing left and right channel audio.

The significance of this design is that the center unit can form a stereo system with the left channel, and the center speaker can also form a stereo system with the right channel, thus providing stereo effect for both driver and co‑driver seats.

Conventional models do not have a separate center channel output, so the center speaker can only be connected in parallel to the left or right speaker wire.Neither option can achieve the effect pursued by an independent center channel.

In addition, the crossover point, crossover slope and delay data of the center channel will significantly affect the final listening experience.Therefore, randomly buying a center speaker and connecting it in parallel to a speaker wire is not a real center speaker in the true sense.

Is it not worth installing a center speaker?Of course it is worth it.Because the center speaker can adjust the sound field for the front driver and co‑driver seats. When properly tuned, the center speaker can also significantly improve the listening experience for rear passengers.

Most models use a two‑way design. The center unit can be a midrange unit or a mid‑high unit, and the center speaker also significantly improves midrange performance.

However, the premise of installation is to add a DSP with center output, and the tuning technology must be excellent.In my tuning experience, every tuning parameter of the center speaker has a significant impact on the final sound effect.If the tuning is wrong, the sound may even become worse after adding the center speaker.

Finally, I remind all car owners again:Car audio equipment only determines the upper limit of the audio system. What really determines the lower limit is the matching, installation and debugging of the product plan.If these basic works are not done well, even expensive equipment will not help.